Communications Division

In January 2012, the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) Communications Division moved its dispatch center. The Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is now at Brooks City Base in southeast San Antonio. The state-of-the-art facility is about 40,000 square feet.

Training & Qualifications

Crews provide 24/7 service to 911 callers and both internal and external customers.

Each team member must:

• complete formal training in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD).
• have Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field experience.
• maintain their Paramedic certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The division also cross-trains staff with the Technical Services Division to operate the SAFD Command Bus.

Key Responsibilities

Along with call-taking and dispatching, the Communications Division is also responsible for:

• monitoring and managing SAFD resources.
• providing a tactical dispatcher for structure fires and other large incidents.
• communicating with outside agencies, like Child Protective Services (CPS) or Red Cross, on behalf of field team members.
• monitoring the Heat Index and adjusting response levels for specific incident types.
• sharing medical information with hospitals, care providers, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), and other approved agencies, as appropriate.

Leadership & Staffing

The Assistant Chief of Information Technologies, a Lieutenant Supervisor, and a Technical Services Coordinator oversee the Technical Services Division. Each shift has 11 Call Takers/Dispatchers and a shift supervisor. The supervisor helps with backup or extra calls when needed. The division also has a dedicated training Lieutenant who is certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Technical Services Division

The Communications Division doesn't stop with 911 call-taking and dispatching. It also includes the Technical Services Division, which handles:

• portable and mobile radio maintenance
• mobile data terminals and computer equipment
• providing, staffing, and maintaining specialized vehicles, including:
  • command bus
  • command truck
  • multi-patient ambulance bus (AMBUS)
  • rehab bus

The Assistant Chief of Information Technologies, a Lieutenant Supervisor, and a Technical Services Coordinator oversee the Technical Services Division.

Quick Facts

• 44 Call Takers/Dispatchers
• 4 Lieutenant Supervisors
• 1 Executive Officer
• 1 Training Officer
• 1,300 portable radios, including 141 multi-band radios
• 328,562 total number of calls received in 2013
• 900 average daily calls received

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